A 300-year-old London Mansion Is Now a Charming 30-room Hotel — With a Secret Restaurant and a Stylish Cocktail Bar

In a city with dozens of world-class boutique hotels, At Sloane has all the British charm of a traditional townhouse.

In a city awash in world-class luxury boutique hotel, At Sloane finds separation by offering a place that feels far more like a well-appointed townhouse than any hotel property. There isn’t even a marquee overhead signaling its presence to outsiders. Simply arrive at its posh Chelsea address, conveniently located across from Sloane Square, step underneath an alabaster archway, and you’re home.

There isn’t a traditional lobby to speak of — instead, you'll walk through a stately, candle-lit foyer with a fireplace and into a library where the reception staff greets you with freshly baked madeleines. It is here that the 19th-century aesthetic of the building begins to reveal itself. Renowned designer Francois-Joseph Graf — who typically only works on private residences — has pulled from the Arts and Crafts movement to imbue the space with abundant bygone charm.

And though it seems like a direct portal to some forgotten aristocratic estate, it feels entirely fresh at the same time. That’s because the entire six-story interior was rebuilt from scratch during a seismic overhaul that unfolded methodically over six years. The only element that remains of the 300-year-old mansion is its red-brick balcony-clad facade.

The bespoke nature of the new design is evident in every corner, from the custom Kashmir drapes in the basement speakeasy bar to the hand-painted Neo-Grec friezes adorning the airy, light-filled rooftop eatery. In total, 50 custom-made fabrics have been imported from France, with 19 separate curtain designs applied to fill the space. A central stairwell is a makeshift art gallery, with over 1,000 vintage black and white photos lining the walls, wrapping around a classic Parisian lift.

They primarily portray glamorous celebrities from the past century, so you’re compelled to see how many famous visages you recognize as you slowly rise to the level of your chosen quarters. Once there, you’ll soon feel like a celebrity yourself. Graf’s attention to detail spills effortlessly from the common areas into each and every one of the 30 guest rooms and suites.

Furnishings are plush and playful, inviting you to interact with the living space and make it your own. The hotel has been crafted with couples in mind, which means the in-room photography features famous romantic affairs, the mini-bars have been equipped with a card game meant to incite “Pillow Talk,” and there’s designated "love" lighting that can be set with the push of a bedside button.

Stained glass panels peer out over balconies — solely for aesthetic appeal and closed to guests, unfortunately. They allow plenty of light into the living spaces but can easily be blacked out using electronically operated drapes and blinds.

At Sloane enjoys an enviable plot of real estate. It affords swift access to the tube, the Thames, and the busy high streets of the surrounding neighborhood. Nevertheless, its warming allure makes it difficult to leave. During a recent multi-night stay, I was wholly content to spend the majority of an entire day within its cozy confines.

Here’s my full review of the experience.

At Sloane, London

• The uniquely British charm of Chelsea is rendered here with a Parisian accent to create something more suggestive of a posh private residence rather than a cookie-cutter boutique.

• Noted designer Francois-Joseph Graf has meticulously applied an Arts and Crafts aesthetic to both common areas and the guest suites; his vision is consistent, and his execution flawless.

• The guest rooms aren’t massive, but they feel cozy rather than cramped, and substantial real estate has been allocated to the tubbed bathrooms.

• The top floor bistro, which takes its design cues from James McNeill Whistler’s “Peacock Room,” is irresistibly stylish — and includes the cutest private dining table in all of London, set within the building’s corner cupola.

• A bevy of brilliant cocktails are shaken downstairs in a dimly lit drinking den spread across the property’s basement level.

The Rooms

There are 30 guest rooms on the property, ranging from a 200-square-foot “mini” to the 500-square-foot signature Sloane Suite.

Each owns a refined elegance, where an Edwardian style of aristocracy is tempered with cream accents on walls beset with bespoke Parisian drapery. They all feature plush queen-size beds, an eclectic selection of free snacks, and heated bathroom floors, but you have to level up beyond the standard Essentielle room to enjoy a freestanding tub. If you’re booking your stay in the largest accommodation, you’re treated to a second half bath and a wood-lined walk-in closet that feels like something out of the Orient Express. Rates start at around $630, including taxes and fees for the entry-level offering, and migrate to $2,500 (or more) for the grand suite.

Food and Drink

One of the greatest pleasures of an overnight here is access to the property’s top-floor “secret” restaurant. We say secret because it’s neither advertised nor named, and the hotel won’t even reveal the name of the chef behind the French-Asian hybrid concept.

But we can tell you that the fare is sensational, with highlights including a piquant tuna and avocado tartare, a succulent and well-seasoned pepper beef, and a Thai tom kha-inspired halibut entree. The outsized portion of spindly shoestring fries is habit-forming. And it all goes down easily against a truncated curation of French and Italian wines by the glass — though we enjoyed drinking in the view most of all.

The space is partitioned into three rooms, each letting in ample light through adjoining balconies and vaulted ceilings. Shelving along the walls is dense with art pieces, antique vases sourced by Graf, and candelabras lit to set the evening mood.

You also won’t want to miss the English breakfast on offer until noon, and an all-day menu from the restaurant is also available to enjoy as room service until 11 p.m.

Follow a cavernous stairwell one floor below the lobby to discover a polished subterranean parlor — the hotel’s sole watering hole. It’s a speakeasy-style affair flaunting velvet accents and cashmere drapery and extending the romantic vibes found everywhere else upstairs. A small wine cellar holds elevated European wines and a formidable collection of American and scotch whiskies. It’s a natural setting for martini sipping, especially since you can pair it alongside a cigar at the adjoining smoker’s patio, one story beneath street level.

Activities and Experiences

The drawback of having a hotel that acts more like a home is that it lacks some amenities you might expect from dedicated lodging. Point in case: At Sloane lacks a pool or even a spa or workout room (though you can access a private gym nearby in the neighborhood). You come here to stay, to eat and drink. For anything else, a resourceful concierge team in the living room-like lobby can help plan any engagements within your immediate surroundings and excursions deeper into the English countryside.

Accessibility and Sustainability

According to the hotel’s website, “One of the rooms and all the communal areas (including the bar and restaurant) are accessible, but some of the smaller corridors can be a little restrictive for wheelchair users.” There are stairs up to the property's main entrance, but staff can set up a ramp for those with limited mobility or assist guests through a more private back entrance.

Location

At Sloane is blessed with an enviable address right near the beating heart of Central London. You needn’t hire a car during your stay here, as the Sloane Square Underground Station, served by the District and Central Lines, is less than a block away. Sloane Square itself is a busy commercial hub at the eastern terminus of King’s Road — the district’s primary shopping thoroughfare. Additionally, you can follow Chelsea Bridge Road a mile south to meet up with the eponymous crossing and enjoy lengthy strolls along footpaths on either side of the River Thames. Here are some more tips on how to organize your next trip to the British capital.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

The hotel is a member of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, a global network of notable boutique properties. So you can hope to seek out advanced deals on your next stay by signing up for the company’s newsletter. There are also prime rates to be secured through Booking.com. As with any destination, it’s a good idea to arrive during shoulder season; March through May and September into November typically offer lower rates on lodging here, and they often can include more inviting weather than summertime, anyway. But this is London, so be ready to roll with any and all conditions, regardless of season.

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